New England is warming faster—and losing its snow cover more quickly—than global averages. Rising seas, intensifying droughts, and severe flooding are no longer distant possibilities; they’re emerging across our region right now. Yes, we’ll still see those classic bitter winters and heavy snowfalls, but they’re becoming fewer and farther between. Watch this eye‑opening presentation with climate researcher Professor Stephen Young, who will break down the changes already reshaping New England, the science behind these shifts, and what the future may hold for our communities, landscapes, and seasons. This talk draws from Professor Young’s latest publication in the journal Climate (December 2025).

Most New Englanders are very familiar with the outbreak of the witch craze in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts depicted in Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible, but many have never heard of the Burning Times, a period of roughly 150 years in Europe during which tens of thousands of victims, mostly women and girls, were tortured and executed for the imaginary crime of witchcraft. Marblehead Little Theatre and UUCGL invite you to join scholar and minister Victoria Weinstein for a lecture and conversation about the religious, political and social context and outcomes of this terrible chapter in history. Trudi Olivetti, the director of MLT’s October production of “The Crucible,” will offer remarks. 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐛𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐃𝐫. 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 & 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐢 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 This event in the news: https://tinyurl.com/42ysvy6r #WitchTrials #BurningTimes #Witches #Persecuted #EuropeanWitchTrials #History #Lecture #SalemMA #UUCGL

Journey into the world of our iconic summer resident, the Monarch butterfly! Join Dr. Colleen Hitchcock as she unravels the fascinating natural history of these winged wonders and learn how to enhance a Monarch habitat in your own backyard. This event is hosted jointly by UUCGL and Swampscott Conservancy.

This forum, held on Earth Day, April 22, 2024, about the conditions at King's Beach, Fisherman's Beach, and other local North Shore beaches was organized by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn. Panelists for the evening were: Elizabeth Smith — Save King's Beach and Swampscott Water & Sewer Infrastructure Advisory Committee Michael Celona — Friends of Lynn & Nahant Beach and Lynn Water & Sewer Commission Executive Board Andrea Amour — Save King's Beach Visit our resources page from this event here: www.uucgl.org/kingsbeach #LynnMA #SwampscottMA #NorthShoreMA #KingsBeach #FishermansBeach #SaveKingsBeach #FriendsOfLynnAndNahantBeach

Climate change, a construction boom, and increased human density have led to a dramatic rise in rats. Rat poison usually is the main method for dealing with the problem. But these poisons are killing our local wildlife, including sensitive species like bald eagles and snowy owls, as well as endangering pets and young children. At the same time, these poisons are not actually proving at all effective in reducing rodents. In this presentation, Laura Kiesel, wildlife biologist, naturalist, conservation advocate, environmental journalist, and founder of Save Arlington Wildlife will partner with Raptors Are the Solution (RATS) to review facts about rodenticides and their effects on our health and the environment, while offering practical solutions people can undertake to protect their local communities from these dangerous poisons that will have positive ripple effects for the entire ecosystem. Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn, Swampscott Conservancy, and the Clifton Improvement Association #Rodenticides #RatPoison #MA

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Presentation Sponsored by: Clifton Improvement Association (CIA) (ciabeachbluff.org), Swampscott Conservancy (swampscottconservancy.org), and UUCGL (uucgl.org). Speaker: Kristen Smith, the Community Engagement Manager for the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy Join Kristen Smith, Community Engagement Manager for the AWSC, to gain an understanding of the ongoing white shark research projects being funded by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, how that research is impacting conservation and public safety efforts, and up-to-date information on what that research has taught us. You will have an opportunity to view videos and photographs captured during the research season and develop your knowledge of what a shark is and what it takes to conduct white shark research. Q & A and how to get involved will follow the presentation. --------------------------- The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy (AWSC) is a nonprofit organization supporting scientific research, educating the community, and improving public safety. AWSC strives to increase knowledge of Atlantic white sharks to change public perception, and conserve the species and ensure biologically diverse marine ecosystems.

A panel discussion about new approaches to food insecurity in our area. Held on February 12, 2023 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn. Speakers: BRENDAN CRIGHTON — Senator, 3rd Essex District JASON ETHERIDGE — Executive Director, Lifebridge North Shore LAURA SPATHANAS — Anchor Food Pantry NORRIS GUSCOTT — Public Health Coordinator, Health Division & Food Security Task Force Leader, City of Lynn *For information regarding the bills discussed at this forum visit: https://www.uucgl.org/_files/ugd/427675_8df868a3cf6642b99ecf37e73b4ec434.pdf #FoodInsecurity #UUCGL #FoodInsecurityAwareness #HungerAwareness #Lynn #HungerForum #FoodInsecurityAwareness #senatorcrighton #swampscott #foodsecurity #FoodSecurityTaskForce #Lifebridge #AnchorFoodPantry #FoodBanks #MyBrothersTable #ststephenslynn

Medical aid in dying legislation has been introduced every legislative session since 2008. What exactly is in this bill, and what is being done to move the bill forward? Join Melissa Stacy, Regional Advocacy Manager for Compassion & Choices, and UUCGL's Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein for a presentation and conversation about the legal and ethical issues surrounding Medical Aid in Dying. Co-Hosted by: Compassion & Choices – www.compassionandchoices.org Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn (UUCGL) – www.uucgl.org UU Mass Action – www.uumassaction.org [Broadcast from UUCGL in Swampscott on January 24th, 2023] #MedicalAidInDying #MA #MedicalAid #Compassion&Choices #MAlegislature #Death #ethics #massachusetts #endoflife

How to Rid Ourselves of Plastic Pollution Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn Dec 12, 2022

A lively, accessible, informative and sobering presentation by Professor Steve Young of Salem State University and Youth Climate Activist Yaroslava Shirayeva on the impacts of climate change on our coastal New England region. Co-hosted by The Swampscott Conservancy and The UU Church of Greater Lynn. October 12, 2022

A creative worship service dedicated to the transcendent power of art and the legacy of #LynnArist #Printmaker #BostonPrintmaker #LydiaBreed. Featuring members of the Church History Ministry Team: Dean McKinnon, Jack Butterworth, Kelly Slater, John Benson (reflection read by Kelly Slater), Tracy Slater, and #LynnMuseum and #LynnArts Executive Director Doneeca Thurston and Boston Printmakers President, Renee Covulucci. Presented at the UU Church of Greater Lynn on May 15, 2022 Pianist, David Collins. Videographer, Steve Deveau.

Most New Englanders are very familiar with the outbreak of the witch craze in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts, but many have never heard of The Burning Times, a period of roughly 150 years in Europe during which tens of thousands of people -- 80% of whom were women -- were tortured and executed for the imaginary crime of witchcraft. Why were women so overwhelmingly represented among the victims of this collective insanity? This lecture addresses the social and economic causes, worldview and Catholic and Protesant theological doctrines and documents that contributed to this horrific epoch. Works cited: Atkinson, Clarissa W. The Oldest Vocation: Christian Motherhood in the. Middle Ages, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1991. Barstow, Anne Llewellyn. Witchcraze: A New History Of the European Witch Hunts. London: HarperCollins, 1994. Brauner, Sigrid. Fearless Wives and Frightened Shrews: The Construction of the Witch in Early Modern Germany. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 1995. Klaits, Joseph. Servants of Satan: The Age of the Witch Hunts. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1985. The Malleus Maleficarum by Jacob Kramer and Heinrich Sprenger. Translation Burr, in Alan Kors and Edward Peters, Witchcraft in Europe 1100-1700: A Document History. Levack, Brian. The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe, 4th edition. Routledge, 2016. Quaife, G. R. Godly Zeal and Furious Rage: The Witch in Early Modern Europe. St. Martin's Press, 1987. Roper, Lyndal. The Holy Household: Women and Morals in Reformation Augsburg. Oxford University Press, 1989. _______, Oedipus and the Devil: Witchcraft, Sexuality, and Religion in Early Modern Europe. Routledge, 1994. Wiesner, Merry E. Women and Gender in Early Modern Europe. Cambridge University Press, 1993.